26" vs 28" 20 gauge barrel for trap & skeet

[Armchair Bronco]

I have a used Winchester 1300 20 gauge shotgun I bought for my 2 boys (ages 12 and 14) to learn trap. It has a 14" LOP stock, which is too long. I've fixed that by ordering a youth-sized 12" LOP wooden stock.

The gun also has a short youth-sized 22" barrel. I know this is too short, so I'm looking at replacement Winchester 1300 barrels with vented ribs. I can pick up a 26" VR barrel for $149 or a 28" VR barrel for $179.

http://ar7.imoutdoorshosting.com/store/page93.html

If we want to keep our options open for shooting both trap AND skeet, which barrel length would be the best choice, both for my boys using the 12" LOP stock and for me using the 14" LOP stock?

 

[Mark8252]

26" or 28"

I use a 20ga Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 26" barrel for skeet with great success. I also use it for trap. Improved cylinder for skeet and modified choke for trap. No problems. In my many years of shooting these sports I have found the choke is more of a deciding factor than barrel length of only a few inches difference.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

Makes sense.

Most Winchester Skeet Model 42's for .410 had 26" barrels. A 27" barrel would probably be the perfect compromise for a 20ga, but that's not an option.

I was also thinking of a 26" barrel.

 

[GooseGestapo]

For general use I've always prefered a 26" (or shorter). However, when shooting skeet, I prefer a longer barrel because the longer barrel gives a longer sight plane and better swing (more foward weight to give greater inertia to swing). With a fixed reciever such as an s/s or o/u, the 28" isn't a handicap due to length. With a repeating action such as the 1300, you're adding ~4" to the length of the gun, hence, the 26" bbl is plenty long.

It's really just a personal preference. Since you already have 22" vr, I'd suggest the 28". For hunting, you can keep the full or modified choke tube in the 22" bbl, and skeet or ImpCyl tube in the 28"bbl.... It's what I do.......

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'd go with 28". Short barrels have less inertia and a tad more muzzle rise.

 

[Steve C]

Long barrel for trap and short barrel for skeet. 2 different games and 2 different types of shooting. Keep the 22" barrel for skeet and quick shot woods hunting. Get the longer barrel for trap and open field hunting. As mentioned an open choke for skeet (improved cylinder), modified or full for trap.

 

[oneounceload]

long barrel for skeet. longer barrel for trap swing dynamics are the key words here - short barrels start fast, and stop just as fast, resulting in a miss behind. Longer barrels keep your swing moving and moving smoothly for a good follow-through

On a pump, the 28 will be the best choice for both

 

[Armchair Bronco]

For general use I've always prefered a 26" (or shorter). However, when shooting skeet, I prefer a longer barrel because the longer barrel gives a longer sight plane and better swing (more foward weight to give greater inertia to swing). With a fixed reciever such as an s/s or o/u, the 28" isn't a handicap due to length. With a repeating action such as the 1300, you're adding ~4" to the length of the gun, hence, the 26" bbl is plenty long.

I just read another article about having to account for an additional 4 inches of length on guns with a fixed receiver (like the Winchester 1300). On this gun, a 26" barrel makes the gun about as long as an O/U with a 30" barrel.

I think that's actually close to the limits of what my boys can comfortably handle on a trap line, so I'm probably going to end up getting the 26" barrel.

This purchase was just intended to get them started with trap & shotgunning, and when they're ready to start using my Winchester 101, I'll swap back to the smaller 22" barrel and have a nice HD 20ga shotgun.

 

[cfullgraf]

I just read another article about having to account for an additional 4 inches of length on guns with a fixed receiver (like the Winchester 1300). On this gun, a 26" barrel makes the gun about as long as an O/U with a 30" barrel.

I think that's actually close to the limits of what my boys can comfortably handle on a trap line, so I'm probably going to end up getting the 26" barrel.

This purchase was just intended to get them started with trap & shotgunning, and when they're ready to start using my Winchester 101, I'll swap back to the smaller 22" barrel and have a nice HD 20ga shotgun.

The target won't know whether it was shot with a 22" barrel or a 30" barrel. A break is a break.

As mentioned, the longer barrel helps with the swing.

When I was shooting competitive skeet in the early 90s, 28" O/U barrels and 24" semi-auto barrels were the norm. I believe they have gotten longer these days, but I am a bit out of that loop.

But, my 5'-2" wife did very well with a 26" O/U. She just could not swing my match gun very well. (the stock on her shotgun was cut to fit her as well.)

Keep your eye out for some weights that can be attached to the magazine that would simulate a longer barrel. As you boys get better at skeet, you could add weight to the front of the shotgun without the expense of a new barrel.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

The weights are a good idea. Somewhere, I've seen add-ons that clip on to the end of the barrel (or maybe the weights were attached magnetically).

In the meantime, I'm planning to ask someone who reloads for 20 gauge to give me a couple of shells filled with 7.5 shot. I'll put these at the back of the magazine for a little extra weight near the middle of the barrel. It's not as ideal as weight at the muzzle but the price is right.

 

[NoAlibi]

oneounce load: "long barrel for skeet. longer barrel for trap swing dynamics are the key words here - short barrels start fast, and stop just as fast, resulting in a miss behind. Longer barrels keep your swing moving and moving smoothly for a good follow-through"

Right on the money! I prefer a 26" bbl for skeet and a 28" bbl for trap on a semi-auto.

BUT...

Armchair Bronco: "I think that's actually close to the limits of what my boys can comfortably handle on a trap line, so I'm probably going to end up getting the 26" barrel."

There's your answer. If the gun is uncomfortable the shooter will have a harder time putting his skills togerther than he would with a gun that "fits" him. Get the 26" bbl which will be fine for skeet on the1300 and let the boys grow into the longer 28" bbl for trap......Doc

 

[langenc]

I was discussing a new shotgun w/ my son. He advised 'whatever get 28" barrels." I said for birds in the swamp// he said "YES". yuk

My 1187 has 28" barrel

 

[Germster]

Barrel length:

In a break action gun the 26 inch barrel barks like mad. The 28 tube swings about the same, maybe a bit slower, but seems for me to line up faster than the shorter barrel. I prefer the longer.

As for auto's and pumps, I'd take the 28 and go with it. It is all about stock fit and not really about the length of the barrel. A little cast off or on is extremely helpful. A propert LOP if also very beneficial. Both of those are much more important than barrel length.